A GREEN AND RUSSET JADE ‘PIG-DRAGON’ PENDANT, ZHULONG, NEOLITHIC PERIOD, HONGSHAN CULTURE

拍品描述

A GREEN AND RUSSET JADE ‘PIG-DRAGON’ PENDANT, ZHULONG, NEOLITHIC PERIOD, HONGSHAN CULTURE China, c. 4000-3000 BC. Boldly carved, with an arched body terminating in a pointed tail and a powerfully modeled head, defined by expressive, tear-shaped eyes, a ribbed snout with incised mouth and nostrils, and a prominent curved horn. The arched shaft is pierced with a small circular aperture drilled from both sides for suspension. The finely polished, opaque stone is of a deep dark-green tone, enlivened by cloudy inclusions and extensive russet mottling in varying shades. Dimensions: Height 20.1 cm The C-shaped jade dragons of the Hongshan culture rank among the most compelling animal images of Neolithic China and the earliest expressions of the dragon in Chinese art. Their elongated snouts, upturned noses, and paired nostrils have been interpreted as porcine features, an association reflected in the designation ‘pig dragon’, or zhulong (豬龍), applied to Hongshan carvings of this subject. The animal origins of these enigmatic creatures remain debated: scholars have variously identified characteristics of pigs, horses, cattle, and reptiles, suggesting that their imagery may draw upon several sources in the natural world. The discovery of finely worked jades in Hongshan burial and ceremonial contexts further attests to their ritual importance. Although their precise meaning remains uncertain, these dragon images have been associated with beliefs concerning fertility, rainfall, and agricultural abundance. Literature comparison: Compare a related Hongshan culture dark green jade dragon pendant, 26 cm high, discovered in Inner Mongolia in 1971, and now in the National Museum of China. Compare a related smaller Hongshan dark green jade dragon pendant, 10.4 cm long, formerly in the collection of Spencer Throckmorton and now in the David Owsley Museum of Art, Ball State University, accession number 2005.024.000. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 18 December 2024, lot 6805 Price: HKD 780,000 or approx. EUR 88,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, manner of carving, and stone. Note the size (15.3 cm).

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